Chapter 15
Returning to the lair a few hours before sunrise, Ruthie prepared for her daily Bible study while Amy fussed with her wardrobe and her hair in the dim light of the candles she had placed around their living area. Ruthie didn't understand Amy's constant adjustments of her hair when she wasn't able to see her accomplishments in a mirror since she cast no reflection. When asked Amy insisted that she remembered exactly the way Robert preferred her hair and could tell, by feel, if her hair was arranged in that manner or not. Not wanting to disturb Amy's hope of eventually being reunited with Robert or question why she continued to wear her hair in a style that suits the man who abandoned her, Ruthie remained mute on the subject and patiently consented to help Amy maintain Robert's hairstyle of preference.
"Ruthie," Amy whispered so as not to be heard in the main house, "what would be your opinion on the subject of making an addition to our little family?"
Having expected Amy to ask for an opinion of her hair, Ruthie was stunned at the unexpected question. "Good Lord, Amy!" Ruthie also whispered, "you want to bring another killer into our lair? Don't you think there's enough killing going on in this city without us purposely making another vampire?"
"I was feeling so lonely this past week while you were spending the evenings with Michael," Amy replied as she sat down at the table opposite Ruthie, "It reminded me of the days after I lost Robert and before I found you. I don't want to feel that way again. And speaking of Robert, when he returns he'll expect me to give him my full attention and I don't want you to be lonely or feel neglected."
Believing that Robert was gone for good, Ruthie wasn't concerned with that scenario ever becoming reality; however, in her thrill of finding and spending time with Michael, she never seriously considered Amy's feelings at the time, "Oh, Amy," Ruthie's gaze dropped momentarily to the open Bible in front of her, "I didn't know you felt so bad while I was visiting with Michael. I'm sorry, I should have spent more time with you."
"No," Amy replied, "you only had a precious short time to be with Michael and I understand so don't be sad."
"Well, I'm not going anywhere, Amy. I know I'll never see Michael again, no matter how much I want to. We can't have any future together, so you don't have to worry about being left alone again."
Rising from the table, Amy moved to where she had draped the dress John had discarded for the suit of men's clothing and began smoothing the skirt with her hands as it lay over an old buffet table, "We would have to find another lair if we were to add a third to our group. We couldn't risk bringing a new vampire here to my parents' house."
"Does that mean you are already set on having another vampire join us or is your desire to stay here a reason not to bring someone else in?" Ruthie was alarmed as she watched Amy slowly fuss with the dress. She hoped her words of commitment to Amy would persuade her that they didn't need anyone else.
"I was only thinking about our situation. I don't want you to be alone when Robert returns."
"Do you already have someone in mind?"
"No, of course not," Amy returned to the table, "I would have told you if I had. I don't keep any secrets from you, Ruthie."
"You've never talked about it before and I was just curious why you seem to be thinking so seriously about it now."
"It's only as I've told you. Spending time alone gave me the idea. I don't want you to be lonely Ruthie; I know Robert is coming back. I can feel him."
Ruthie was as sure as ever that Robert was gone for good even though Amy's faith in his return was very convincing. Amy's ideas always made Ruthie anxious, as they usually required risks that Ruthie considered unnecessary, but once Amy had an idea or a plan, there was little chance of convincing her otherwise. For instance, when Amy was reluctant to move from their first lair, Ruthie spent a lot of desperate energy fueled by fear for their lives to change Amy's mind and convince her to move. Recruiting a third vampire into their family was a very risky plan that Ruthie also believed to be unnecessary, but she knew there would be more debating between them before the matter would be settled.
Summer progressed toward fall as the vampires quietly stalked the city streets and waterfront in search of victims always with keeping themselves hidden and undiscovered as their main concern. With no new visitors at the Quakers' house, they only approached it occasionally so as not to be noticed. Ruthie read the wanted posters enabling her to recognize a fugitive slave and help him or her to safety. However, she never got the opportunity to help a runaway, as she didn't have the good fortune of meeting one. She could only pray for their successful escape during her nightly prayers.
In the meantime, Amy hungrily looked for prey among the downtrodden and drunken men in the pockets of poverty in the city. Strangers often came through town in search of employment and not knowing their way around the streets provided an advantage where she could easily stalk them as they struggled to find their way around. After her nightly feeding, she would continue her search for a new lair where they would have the privacy and safety to bring a new vampire into the family. She and Ruthie had come to the agreement that after they were settled into a new lair they would discuss making their twosome a threesome. Ruthie considered that searching for a lair and actually moving in and getting settled would give her more time to try to convince Amy of the impracticality of converting another innocent human into a blood thirsty killer.
As the first fallen leaves of early autumn blew across the sidewalks and gathered in the gutters, Ruthie and Amy strolled along the city streets in the early morning darkness searching for a new lair. Ruthie, to Amy's dismay, had given up the fine dresses Amy had introduced her to. Ruthie's experience with John inspired her to become more of her own woman and gave up the restrictive corsets and dresses opting for a simple housedress and leaving her hair natural instead of letting Amy attempt to straighten and pin it up. She was more comfortable and happier with herself and simply ignored Amy's chastising accusations of not dressing properly. Ruthie eventually put an end to Amy's criticisms by reminding her that she wasn't white or a lady and was no longer going to dress like one. She was happy with the way God made her and was tired of trying to look otherwise.
"Well, Ruthie," Amy said, "you were successful at finding our present lair, do you have any suggestions on where to go next?"
"No, I don't," Ruthie answered, "I'm content to stay where we are."
"Only because you are reluctant to add to our circle," Amy pointed out, "am I correct?"
"Partly," Ruthie admitted, "plus, I don't see why we have to move. We haven't had any threats of anyone finding us yet."
"Would you rather escape in a panic like we did the last time, or would you rather move before we're found out?"
"When you put it that way," Ruthie answered after a short pause for consideration, "We have been at your father's house for quite sometime. Maybe it is a good time to move."
"I hoped you'd see it my way," Amy said in happy triumph.
"I really hate to leave there, Amy," Ruthie said sadly, "I feel very safe in our lair. We've made it real home-like, probably because it's in your family's house."
"Yes," Amy sighed, "I feel that way too, but I also feel that our luck may be running out on our not being discovered. If my mother decides to redecorate or buy new furniture, the help will be sent to the basement, to our room, to reorganize and maybe move more old furnishings to the collection and we will certainly be found."
"Good Lord, Amy," Ruthie asked in surprise, "how often does your mother redecorate?"
"Not very often," Amy answered, "maybe every two years or so, but she may decide to rearrange rooms for the season. She changes draperies according to the seasons, heavy fabrics in the winter and lighter fabrics in the summer."
"Good Lord, your servants are kept busy."
"They're well compensated for their work."
"Why didn't you mention this in the spring? Weren't you concerned then that we might be discovered?"
"When we moved in I notic
ed the furniture in our lair was recently stored because the coverings were still fairly clean and dust free."
"I wish you would tell me these things at the time," Ruthie said, "It would save me some worry."
"I'm sorry. It didn't occur to me to mention it at the time, but I will try from now on."
Motivated by Amy's information, Ruthie said, "It has to be a place where no one is there at night or in the early morning before sunrise."
"That would be best, but I don't think many places fit that description."
"I still like the idea of the cemetery," Ruthie stated, "It's peaceful and beautiful."
"Where would we stay?" Amy challenged, "there are no houses or buildings nearby and it's a long walk back to the waterfront-at least a mile."
"That's not a long walk," Ruthie argued.
"It would be in the rain or sleet, Ruthie."
Ruthie couldn't argue with that although she would be happy to stay in the mausoleum they had used to hide John. There wasn't much chance they would be found hiding there and even if they were found, they would be overlooked as corpses put to rest as though they belonged there. As Ruthie continued to fantasize about living in the woodsy serenity of the cemetery, Amy continued to consider other options.
"Wait!" Amy stopped walking as her face lit up with an idea, "Ruthie, I know the perfect place. You'll love it."
Ruthie stopped and turned to Amy in curiosity, "where would that be?" she asked with interest.
They had been walking in an indirect path toward their lair and were now two streets north of home, "we can move here," Amy announced.
"Where?" Ruthie looked around at the surrounding buildings.
"This church," Amy gestured toward a large gothic twin-spire Methodist church that stood before them.
"What!" Ruthie exclaimed in surprise, "we're tools of the devil. We can't live in a church. What are you thinking, Amy? We'll burn in hell fire if we go in there. We'll probably burst into flame for having the nerve to tough the door."
"I thought you would love the idea, Ruthie, since you're so religious," Amy pouted at Ruthie's reaction, "no one is in a church at night and there are only people there on Sunday."
"People will be there besides Sunday," Ruthie argued, "the minister is there every day and women are there to clean and take care of the place. You should know these things. You used to go to church."
"I told you I never paid much attention at church," Amy still pouted, "I didn't know that anyone went there much during the week."
They stood silently looking up at the massive stone structure that rose into the dark sky.
"There can't be many people in the building during the week," Amy said, "and they can't use much of the building. There are probably whole sections of the building that are never entered at all."
"I don't think heathens like us have any right to go live in a church," Ruthie said.
Amy slowly moved toward the steps leading to the front door.
"What are you doing?" Ruthie asked nervously.
"I'm going to see if I get burned."
"No, Amy!" Ruthie exclaimed, but Amy had already ascended the stairs and was reaching for the door. She paused for a half a breath and laid her hand on the door handle while Ruthie stood on the sidewalk in terror.
"Ruthie," Amy said happily, "it doesn't burn. It doesn't even feel warm."
Ruthie looked around in fear of being caught and seeing that they were still alone, she fearfully joined Amy on the top step. She knelt on the cold concrete step and laid both hands flat on the solid wood of the church door and bowed her head, "I know I have no right to ask, but please forgive me, Jesus, for my horrible, horrible sins."
Amy gave Ruthie a moment and glancing around said, "Ruthie, let's go inside and find an unused room."
Ruthie slowly raised her head, "I don't know, Amy. I don't know if we should go inside, being two of the devil's helpers. It would be disrespectful to God."
"Maybe God wants us here. Maybe that's why we aren't burning in hell fire for touching the door," Amy raised Ruthie from her knees, "please let's go inside and see for ourselves."
Reluctantly Ruthie agreed and in a moment, after entering as mist, they stood in the dark on the other side of the door.
"Amy!" Ruthie whispered nervously as she searched the darkness.
"I'm here," Amy answered in a normal speaking voice that seemed to echo throughout the entire building.
"Hush your voice," Ruthie ordered.
"Nobody's here, Ruthie," Amy answered, "We're all alone and safe from the hell fire."
"We are safe, aren't we?" Ruthie realized incredulously, "Maybe Jesus still loves us after all."
"There's always hope, Ruthie," Amy said for Ruthie's benefit, only holding out hope for being loved by Robert, not Jesus. She felt for Ruthie's hand in the dark and taking it led her deeper into the church.
"Let's find our way to the basement," Amy found a flight of stairs at the rear of the sanctuary leading to the lower floor.
"How will we know if a room in the basement is safe for a lair?" Ruthie asked, "You already knew which room at your parents' house would be safe. How will we know that here?"
"First we'll find a room that shows signs of neglect such as thick cobwebs and heavy dust," Amy explained, "then we'll watch the room for several weeks to be sure the room will remain neglected."
"We have to come in here for several weeks to inspect the room?"
"The room and also the comings and goings of the people who spend time here at night," Amy answered, "We'll learn the schedule of comings and goings to determine if it really is safe for our lair."
"I don't think this area is a basement," Ruthie could see tables and chairs set up in a large room at the bottom of the stairs. There was an upright piano against the wall and a large chalkboard at the head of the tables.
"I don't think so either," Amy agreed, "this looks like a meeting room or a Bible study room. There must be another staircase that will take us to the basement."
"There's a wide doorway by the piano," Ruthie pointed out, "maybe there are stairs outside that door."
The two vampires made their way between the tables to the doorway helping themselves to a lamp they found on one of the tables. After lighting the lamp they passed through the doorway where they found a hallway leading to more rooms on the same floor and past the hallway, against the outer wall of the church was another stairway leading down into deeper darkness. While the first stairway was made of stone, this stairway was darker, narrower and constructed of wood. The steps creaked slightly as they descended to find a closed door at the foot of the stairs. The knob turned easily and they passed cautiously through and found themselves in a narrow hallway lined with several doors. Some of the doors stood open while others were closed.
"What do you think they use these rooms for?" Ruthie asked.
"I don't know," Amy replied, "maybe for the children. We'll find out another time. Let's keep looking for a lair."
"You think there's another floor under this one?" Ruthie asked, "We're already pretty low."
"This floor is wood," Amy tapped her heel on the floor of the hallway, "it can't be the basement."
"We need to find another set of stairs then," Ruthie pushed ahead to the end of the hall.
"Yes," Amy followed Ruthie as she opened the door at the end of the hall where they found themselves in another room that contained several chairs and a piano.
Standing in the center of the room Ruthie and Amy looked around them in the dim lamplight for stairs but all they found was another door at the rear of the room.
When Ruthie opened the door the two vampires were met with a strong odor of dust, dirt and mold and knew they had finally found the stairway to the basement. This stairway was a narrow wooden stairway coated with dust and adorned above with thick cobwebs. As they made their way down the stairs, Amy remarked happily, "I don't think anyone ever uses these stairs. Either the church has a separate stairway that is used to get t
o the basement or they don't use the basement at all."
Feeling along the cold stonewalls of the stairway, they moved down the stairs disturbing the thick dust and sticky cobwebs as they went. The staircase was longer and steeper than they had expected, but it finally ended in what seemed in the darkness to be a large open room.
"This won't do at all," Ruthie observed, "we can't be laying out in the open like this. She was still reluctant about setting up a lair in the house of God where, as workers of the devil, she didn't feel that they were worthy.
"Let's investigate further," Amy went on ahead, "we've come this far already. There might be more rooms beyond this one."
Ruthie followed Amy along the west wall of the basement, keeping her hand against the wall to find her way in the dark. Reaching the south wall they walked in the same slow careful manner and found a solid oak door leading outside at the rear of the church. This door would provide a much safer and more direct entrance and exit to the vampires' lair. Resuming their walk they turned the corner and walked north toward the front of the church, shuffling over the dusty dirt floor until they were approximately opposite the stairway they had descended. Here they encountered a wooden wall blocking off the front half of the basement.
"There must be a door within this wall," Amy remarked, "let's feel along it."
Finding three doors opening into three storage rooms, the girls determined they had time to investigate further and retraced their steps to the first door, which they found unlocked. Inside was old pieces of wooden furniture, usable but outdated and worn, probably brought here from the parsonage. Judging by the amount of dust and mold on the pieces closest to the door, the furniture had been stored here years earlier and hadn't been touched since. The second door was also left unlocked, but revealed some odd and surprising contents.
"Good Lord," Ruthie whispered as she peered into the small dark room where a cot with a straw mattress sat against the wall to her left across from a small table and a chair next to a dresser. Wooden crosses and pictures of Jesus hung on the walls that were draped in years of cobwebs.
"Do you think someone actually lived down here?" Amy asked as she poked the mattress and crossed the room to inspect the dresser drawers, "There's only a Bible in the top drawer. It doesn't look as though anyone has been here for a very long time."
"Let's get out of this room" Ruthie urged Amy, "I don't like it here."
"We need to see what the next room holds anyway," Amy agreed, "We can bring candles and look closer tomorrow."
Amy closed the door behind her and followed Ruthie to the third and final room, "Hurry, Ruthie, it must be getting late."
"We can wait to see this room tomorrow," Ruthie suggested. She didn't like the feel of the previous room and wasn't in a hurry to find out what awaited them in the last room.
"Let's take a quick tour of the room and we'll go home."
Ruthie opened the door to find a surplus of velvet draperies and tapestries, which they later determined depicted scenes from Bible stories, adorning the musty stonewalls. The moldy tapestries were tattered and frayed on the edges as though they were stored here long ago with the intention of one day being repaired, but were instead forgotten. Perhaps those who had stored them were gone or dead and the tapestries were subsequently lost to the busy pace of the church members' lives and the reassignment of ministers. The velvet hung on brass rods that were hung up along the ceiling dividing the room in half, separating the front of the room from the back. Narrow tables were lined against the walls to prevent the tapestries and draperies from dragging on the dirt floor.
"What a crime!" Amy exclaimed as she inspected the velvet by touch, "to leave such rich fabric hanging in a filthy cellar like this."
"It's not any good to anybody now," Ruthie said as she tried to make out the scenes of the tapestries in the dark, "there's nothing down here but neglect. You wouldn't think you'd find neglect in a big fancy church like this."
"Not very Christian, is it, Ruthie?" Amy dropped the edge of the velvet, "I wonder who lived in that room. Maybe someone who worked for the church."
"That would be some terrible neglect too," Ruthie shook her head, "letting someone live down here all alone."
"Let's get back to our lair, Ruthie," Amy led the way out of the room, "it's getting late. We'll return tomorrow with candles to give us better light."
The next few weeks were spent watching the activities of the people coming and going from the church. There were activities most evenings of the week and crowds of churchgoers attending. When it seemed all the people were inside, Ruthie and Amy would creep around to the rear of the building to see if any activity occurred at the back door. After two weeks of noting the times of people entering and exiting the front of the building, they began watching the rear of the church full time. From the condition of the basement it was clear that no one ever entered or exited the rear door; however, they needed to be certain of any activities that did occur in the area so as not to be caught by surprise leaving the lair in the evenings.
Ruthie was still uneasy about moving into a church, even if it was the dirty forgotten cellar; it was still the house of God to her. To Amy, it was nothing more than a convenient building to use as a lair. She had been worshiping Robert and her passion for him for more than five years giving her whole heart to him with nothing left for any other god. They had already decided to use the velvet room for their lair and planned to hide the coffins behind the draping velvet. Amy convinced Ruthie the church would make a good lair, by describing that being inside the church would bring Ruthie closer to God and the Bible and the gospels she loved to read.
After two more weeks of watching the back door and finding no dangerous activity that might expose their secret they decided it was time to move. The move would be emotionally easier for Ruthie to make than Amy. Even though Amy still hadn't seen her parents in all the months of living in their house, she still felt comforted by being so close to them.